Proven Leader
Don Stenberg's record as Attorney General demonstrates that he is the type of proven leader we need in state government.
Fighting Crime
The Nebraska Legislature enacted many anti-crime initiatives that Don had recommended to them, including the following:
- Drug-free school zones.
- Penalties for major drug dealers increased.
- Penalties for habitual violent criminals increased.
- Penalties for drive-by shootings increased.
- Minimum term for 2nd degree murder increased from 10 to 20 years.
- Defendants made ineligible for probation or parole prior to completing mandatory minimum terms for certain crimes.
- Truth in sentencing.
Protecting Children
Don led the effort to establish the Amber Alert system in Nebraska to help save the lives of children who are abducted and whose lives are endangered. He also successfully pushed for drug-free school zones legislation.
Supporting Nebraska Agriculture
Don successfully defended Nebraska’s Ethanol Producer Credit statute in court – the cornerstone of Nebraska’s ethanol industry.
In 1996, Don joined Attorneys General from 19 states calling for greater public disclosure of key livestock market information and greater anti-trust enforcement to assist the beef industry.
National Leadership
Don was selected to write a “friend of the court” brief for 17 states in support of term limits on members of Congress in the historic term limits case in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Don was invited to testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on legislation later passed by the Senate to reduce criminal appeals.
Don was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General.
Don was the first Nebraska Attorney General in more than 40 years to argue a case in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Don is a founding member of the Republican Attorneys General Association.
Don is also a member of the prestigious Washington Legal Foundation Policy Advisory Board.
Victims’ Rights
Don strongly supported the adoption of a Victims’ Rights amendment to the Nebraska Constitution.
Upholding the Constitution
Don steadfastly defended the people’s initiative and referendum rights. He successfully challenged a statute criminalizing the circulation of petitions across county lines.
Don upheld the constitutional authority of the State Auditor to review the expense records of state Senators.
Protecting Innocent Life
Don defended Nebraska’s ban on partial birth abortion all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where he personally argued in support of the ban on partial birth abortions.
Don joined a “friend of the court” brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Washington’s and New York’s statutes banning assisted suicide.